Liquid meter



Dec. 30, 1 24 1,521,391

P. J. ROACH ET AL LIQUID METER Filed Nov. 22, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. J. ROACH ET AL.

' LIQUID METER Filed Nov. 22, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. I

P. J. ROACH ET AL LIQUID METER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 22, 1922 hl v Dec. 30, 1 24- 1,521,391

P. J. ROACH ET AL LIQUID METER Filed Nov. 22, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4- Patented Dec. 30, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PATRICK JOSEPH ROACI-I AND DANIEL CARTER, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

LIQUID METER.

Application filed November 22, 1922.

1/ 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, PATRICK Josnrrr ROAOH and DANIEL CARTER, British subjects, residing at the city of Toronto, in the county of York and Province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, have invented cer' tain new and useful Improvements in Liquid Meters; and we hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to a new and improved liquid meter of the type forming the subject matter of Letters Patent No. 1,340,293 dated May 18th, '1920, and No. 1,420,752 dated the 27th of June, 1922, in which the measuring compartments or receptacles are provided with valve closed inlet and outlet ports controlled by the action of a rocker beam.

In the former of these patents two pans are suspended from the rocker beam, located one in each compartment to receive the overflow from the other compartment, but no provision is made to control the periodic movement of the beam and as a consequence the timing of the reciprocating valve is not sufficiently positive to measure the liquid contents with the degree of accuracy essential to the highest eflicienoy of this apparatus.

In the latter of these patents the rocker beam is actuated by floats which rise and fall with the liquid contents of their respective compartments and its movement is controlled by float actuated locks. As the meters, however, are subject to more or less ill-usage, the adjustment of the float actuated locks is apt to be disturbed and upset the positive action of the valves.

According to the present invention the two compartments are connected 'by an overflow channel extending through the inlet manifold, for the excess liquid of the filled compartment to overflow into the pan of the other compartment, and the pans are directly connected with the rocker beam and the locking mechanism. so that the weight of the pans and their contents can be utilized to govern the action of the locking mechanism and the movement of the beam.

The pans are provided'wit-h valve closed drainage ports and the movements of the valves for these ports are controlled by floats which open the valves during the rise of the liquid within the compartments and Serial No. 602,607.

prevent the closing of the valves until all the liquid has drained out of the pans.

For an understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the liquid meter,

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line aa Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing the locking means for controlling the movement of the rocker beam,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 isan end elevation of the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 1,

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation detail showing the locking means,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional eleva tion of part of one of the pans showing the outlet valve and the float for actuating it, and

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are similar views to Figs. 3, 4, and 5 respectively, showing a modification of the construction shown in those views.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

Vvithin the meter casing 1 are two corre sponding compartments 2 and 3 provided at the top with inlet ports 5 and 6 respectively controlled by a reciprocating valve 7. The compartments are separated by a vertical partition 1 extending from the bottom 8 to the top 12 and the bottom of the compartments is inclined downwardly from the sides of the casing towards the vertical partition. Formed through the bottom of the compartments are outlet ports 9 9 and hinged within the compartments are valves 10 and 11 respectively, for closing the outlet ports during the filling of the compartments. Extending downwardly from the top 12 are ducts 14, 14* into which the liquid enters through the inlet ports 5 and 6 respectively. The bottoms 15 of the ducts are closed and the sides of the ducts are provided with ports 16, 16 respectively, through which the liquid enters the compartments.

Overlying the top 12 of the compartments is an inlet manifold 17 having an inlet port 18. WVithin the inlet manifold 17 is an ovcr- I The toothed segment I V 36 journalled in and extending beyond the flow channel 19 connecting the tops of the two compartments through whichthe filled compartment overflows into the unfilled one. In Fig. 1 the overflow channel 19 is shown to be formed of two upwardly converging sections each of which is of the same dimensions and the apex of which is opposite the center of the inlet 18, the purpose of this construction being to utilize'the overflow channel as part of the measuring compartments. V

In the compartments 2 and 3 are-pans 20 and 21 respectively, to receive the liquid from the overflow channel 19 and suspended from thepans 20 and 21 by hangers 24 are floats 22 and 23 for assisting the pans to rise when their respective compartments are filled. In the bottom of the pans 20 and 21 are drainage ports 25, 25, controlled by the valves 26, 26 each of which is provided with a valve stem 27 extending below its respective .pan, and connected with the valve stems 27 are floats 28, 28 movable in float chambers 29 formed in the floats 22 and 23 and provided with drainage ports 29. Connected to thebottom of the floats are slotted arms 30 and connected to the outlet valves 10 and 11 are valve rods 31 entered in the slotted arms 30 for the united movement of the outlet valves with the floats 22 and 23. Below the bottoms of. the compartments 2 and 3 is-an outlet manifold 32 provided with an outlet port 33 through which, the liquid from the compartments is discharged. V

The inlet valve 7 is provided with arack 34 with which meshes a toothed segment 35. 35 is-fixed ona shaft sides of the manifold 17, and fixed on the extended ends of the shaft 36 are rocker beams 37 which cause the shaft to oscillate as the rocker beams move up anddown during the filling and emptying of the compartments 2 and 3.

.Connected to the top andbottom of each pan are cross bars 38, 38 which project beyond the wall of the pan and are provided with apertures through which pass the guide rods 39 which control the vertical move ment of the pan as it rises and falls within: the compartment. The upper and lowerends of the guide rods 39 are screw threaded and entered in screw threaded apertures within the bottom 8 and top 12. of the compartments.

the rocker beams 37 are shafts 43 upon which are 'oscillatingly mounted the latches 44.

Centrally formed in eaclr cross bar 38 1s a screw threaded aperture The set screws 42 are entered through the apertured fittings 41 into the hubs 44 of the latches and connect the suspension rods 40 to them. Hinged or pivoted to the casing of the inlet manifold 17 are pawls 45 which engage the'latches 44 and prevent the downward movement of the rocker beam until the latches have been released andholding the pawls 45 in engagement with the latches are leaf springs '46 bearing against the pawls and the manifold casing. As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5; the ends of the shafts 43 on one side of the manifold casing are extended beyond the corresponding rocker beam, and fixed onthe extended ends oftheshafts-43 arethe-hubs 47 of the and. the compartment. inlets 5 and 6. as

shown in-Fig. 4, andports53are provided at the sides, of theba-file for th e uninterrupted flowofthe liquid fron the inlet port 18 to the inlet. ports hand. f 1

Inserted throu h the top12 of the coinpartments are ad ustable plugs 54 bywhich the measuring capacity of the compartments can be accurately gauged, The operation. of the meter is as follows: The liquid enters the manifold. 17 through its inlet. 18 andpasses through the portsi53 tothe inlet port 5 and into the duct 14 from whichit passes through the port 16 into the com artment 2. The valve 10 V is closed whi e the liquid is flowing, into the compartment2 through the inlet port 5, duct 14. and port 16.. hen the. liquid inlthe com partment 2 rises toa suflicient height it lifts the float-28. and valve-26 to open the drainage port 25 of the pan 20. The liquid continues to rise until it fills the compartment 2 and overflow channel 19 from which it descends into the pan 21 of the compartment. 3. While the pan 21 is filling the valve .26 for. the drainage port 25 is closed and the float 28 is at the lower limit of its float chamber. The overflow from the compartment 2. into the pan 21 continues until the-pan 21. is filledsufiiciently to overbalance the weight 48. The weight of the pan and its contents then balances-the weight 48 and rock the shaft 43 to suificlentlv releasethe latch 44 from engagement with the pawl 45 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. The pan 21 then descends to the limit of its downward movement, closing the valve 11 to cover the outlet port 9, and rocking the beam 37 on its shaft 36. This rocking movement of the beam, assisted by the float 22, raises the pan 20 to the limit of its upward movement and opens the valve 10 to uncover the outlet port 9. When the outlet port 9 is opened the contents of the compartment 2 flow out through the outlet manifold 32 and discharge port 33. The liquid then drains out of the pan 20 through its drainage port 25 into the float chamber 29 and filling the float chamber 29 keeps the valve 26 open until the liquid has all drained out of the pan. When the liquid in the compartment 2 falls below the level of the float chamber 29 the liquid slowly drains out of the float chamber 29 through the port 29 and permits the float 28 and valve 26 to descend for the valve to cover the drainage port 25, but the closing of the valve does not occur until after the liquid has completely drained out of the pan.

During this rocking movement of the beam 3'? the shaft 36 turns and oscillates the toothed segment 35 in the direction of the compartment 2. This oscillation of the toothed segment 35 causes the reciprocating movement of the valve 7 to cover the inlet port 5 and uncover the inlet port 6. The liquid from the inlet manifold 17 then enters the compartment 3 through the inlet port 6, duct 14 and port 16?, filling the compartment and overflowing into the pan 20 which it fills as previously described. When the pan 20 is lilled its weight releases its latch 44 from its respective pawl 45 as previously described and then descends to its limit of motion and closes the outlet valve 10. Its descent also rocks the beam 37 and the rocking of the beam 37 oscillates the toothed segment 35 towards the compartment 3. This oscillation of the toothed segment reciprocates the valve 7 to cover the inlet port 6 and uncover the inlet port 5 for the liquid to flow from the inlet manifold again into the compartment 2. The rocking of the beam 37 during the descent of the pan 2O lifts the pan 21 to the limit of its upward movement, the action of the rocker beam being assisted by the float 23. The upward movement of the pan 21 and float opens the valve '11 to uncover the outlet port 9*. The liquid then drains out of the compartment 3 and the pan 21. IVhen all the liquid has drained out of the pan 21 the float 2S and the valve 26 descend for the closing of the port 25, the closing occurring when the pan is empty.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 we have shown a modi fication of the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. In this case the shafts 43 are provided with short levers 55 having stopping fingers or forks 56 engaging pins 57 projecting from the rocker beam 37. To the levers 55 are connected coiled springs 58 anchored to a stud 59 projecting from the rocker beam 37.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 the tension of the springs 58 operates to maintain the latches 44 in engagement with the pawls 45 until their respective pans are filled and then to release the latches for the descent of their respective pans as above described.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid meter comprising two compartments provided with inlet ports, an inlet manifold from which the liquid enters the compartments, means exterior of the compartments by which they overflow into each other, a rocker beam, a valve for the inlet ports actuated by the rocker beam, a pan within each compartment adapted to receive the overflow from' the other compartment, each pan having a drainage outlet, float actuated valves for said outlets, looks from wiich the pans are suspended connected with and controlling the movement of the rocker bean; and released by the weight of the pans and contents, a valve closed outlet for each compartment and means controlled by the movement of the rocker beam for opening and closing the last mentioned outlets.

2. A liquid meter including two compartments provided with inlet ports, a rocker beam, a valve for the inlet ports actuated by the rocker beam, a pan within each compartrnent connected with the rocker beam, and locks controlling the movement of the rocker beam, each of said locks comprising a pivoted pawl and a latch pivoted to the rocker beam engaging the pawl released by the weight of the pan and contents.

3. A liquid meter including two compartments provided with inlet ports, a rocker beam, a valve for the inlet ports actuated by the rocker beam, a pan within each compartment connected with the rocker beam, and locks controlling the movement of the rocker beam each of said locks comprising a pivoted pawl and a latch pivoted to the rocker beam engaging the pawl until released by he weight of the pan and contents, and means for releasably holding said latches in engagement with the pawl.

4. A liquid meter including two compartments provided with inlet ports, a rocker beam, a valve for the inlet ports actuated by the rocker beam, a. pan within each compartment connected with the rocker beam, and locks controlling the movement of the rocker beam, each of said locks comprising a pivoted pawl, a latch pivoted to the rocker beam engaging the'pawl until released by the weight of the pan and contents, an arm connected with the latch and a countervbalancelweight on said arm.

15. A liquid meter including two compartments provided with inlet ports, a rocker beam, a valve for the inlet ports actuated by the rocker beam, a pan Within each compartment connected with the rocker beam, and locks controlling the movement of the rocker beam, each of said locks comprising a pivoted pawl, a latch pivoted to the rocker beam engaging the pawl until released by the weight of the panand contents, and means for limiting the travel of the latch.

6. A liquid meter comprising two compartments provided with inlet ports, a valve for the inlet ports, means for actuating the valve, an inletmanifold overlying the compartments from which the liquid enters them, and an overflow extending through the manifold and connecting the two compartments, said overflow comprising two corresponding upwardly converging arms.

7. A liquid meter comprising two compartments provided with inlet ports, a valve :4 V V r 1,521,391

for the inlet ports, means [for actuating the valve, an inlet manifold overlying the compartments from which the liquid enters them, an inlet port for the manifold, an

overflow extending through the manifold and connecting the two compartments, and

baffles extending from the sides of the over 'flow channel interposed between the inlet port of the manifold and the inlet ports of the compartments. a V p 8. In :a liquid meter comprising two measuring compartments provided with valve controlled inlet and outlet ports and a rocker beamI-governing the action of these valves,

the combination of locks controllingthe movement of the rocker beams, and pans within the compartments having a direct connection with the'rocker beam and locks.

"Dated at the said city of Toronto, this 30th day of-October, A. D. 1922. i 

